The scorer of the fastest hat trick in football Ross set the record by scoring three goals in 90 seconds as an 18 year old while playing for Ross County against Nairn County in 1964 beating the previous record set by a Gillingham player in the 1950s.

Ross went on to play for a number of English clubs, including Peterborough United, Wigan Athletic and York City, as well as Scottish side Brora Rangers.

News of his death was announced by Tain football club St. Duthus, which he managed during the 1990s.

Ross played six games for Peterborough United and scored two goals. Wigan Athletic said "He was with us for a season back in our non-league days in 1969"

Inver born Ross joined Ross County in 1961 at the age of 15, and scored his first goal for the club that same season.

He scored 44 goals during the 1964-65 season, when he secured his place in history with three goals in 90 seconds against Highlands rivals Nairn County.

His form attracted attention from a number of clubs on both sides of the border, including Cardiff City, Millwall, Newcastle and Aberdeen in Scotland, before he moved to Peterborough United in 1965.

He then played for York City, Wigan Athletic and Rossendale United before returning to Scotland to play for Brora Rangers in the 1970s.

He then got involved in coaching, and took the reigns of Tain St. Duthus for several seasons in the mid 90s.

Two of his sons, Stuart and Andrew, are now the management team in charge of St. Duthus, which was revived as a club last year.

As well as playing for Brora Rangers, Ross started a construction company with his brothers John and James. He later worked at North Sea oil and gas industry yards in Nigg and Ardersier in the Highlands, and for a car sales company in Inverness.

Ross also worked as a youth scout for Tottenham Hotspur, based in the north.